I propose to take Questions Nos. 2336 and 2388 together.
The Deputies will be aware of the significantly enhanced funding now being made available to support walking and cycling, whether that is in the form of active travel or leisure related activity.
Over the period 2018 to 2021 my Department’s programmes will include –
- €110 million specifically dedicated to walking and cycling infrastructure in our major urban areas;
- €135 million for sustainable urban transport measures;
- €53 million to support the development of new Greenways; and
- approximately €750million towards the BusConnects programme in Dublin which will include the delivery of around 200 kilometres of segregated cycling lanes, where possible.
There is also additional, and substantial, funding available through Project Ireland 2040 ’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which fund active travel improvements across the State, often with co-funding provided through one of my Department’s programmes.
Other funding sources include the Department of Rural Community and Development-led Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which supports walking and cycling leisure related infrastructure improvements.
It is important that the totality of this funding is included when one looks at the levels of investment.
I can inform the Deputies that implementation of Action 97 of the Climate Action Plan 2019 will be progressed in line with its Q4 2020 timeline.